New Hamilton star gay and living with HIV

The Broadway performer has overcome a lot in one lifetime.

HAMILTON is the musical about the United State’s first Treasury secretary that has taken Broadway by storm and become a global phenomenon.

It has been described as the ‘RENT of this generation’ and picked up a record 11 Tony Awards at this year’s ceremony.

Its creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda has just stepped down from the title role and has been replaced by Javier Muñoz.

Muñoz, 40, is already somewhat of a champion – not only because he was cast in the leading role in one of the most sought after Broadway productions in history, where he performed in front of President Barack Obama and Beyoncé – but he is a gay man living with HIV, who has just won a battle with cancer.

“But I’ve had a healthy fear about my health since I tested positive, and I asked how to test myself for lumps, because both my parents had cancer. And very early on in my learning how to do a self-examination, I found the lump.

“My life completely and drastically changed in 2002 when I was diagnosed with HIV., and then again last year with cancer.

“And you can’t unknow what you know. Life is not the same after that. But I’m alive, and I’m for all intents and purposes healthy and well. And I’m grateful for that.”

About the AuthorShannon Power

Shannon is Star Observer's senior journalist covering NSW and national news. Originally from Melbourne, she has lived and worked across Cape York and far north Queensland reporting on issues important to remote Australia. In her spare time she's a RuPaul's Drag Race fanatic and a Carlton Blues tragic. She tweets @shannonjpower